New active travel routes open in Cheadle following Towns Fund win

A new walking and cycling route has opened in Cheadle, supported by the government’s Towns Fund, to make active travel safer and more accessible for local residents.

Members of the Cheadle Towns Fund board, councillors and officials from Stockport Council marked the opening at a launch event held in Queen’s Gardens on Saturday, July 1. The new North-South route links the High Street with a proposed new railway station, and to Brookfields Park and beyond, where it will link to the A34 Corridor Improvement Scheme and connect with walking and cycling infrastructure in Cheshire East and Manchester.

The new active travel route is the first project to complete that was backed by the Government-supported Cheadle Towns Fund, with plans for a new railway station connecting the district centre by rail with Stockport, Manchester, Altrincham and stations through to Chester, as well as a Eco Business Park also progressing.

In addition to the new route opening, the event also marked the official unveiling of  four new and improved Cycle and Pedestrian Crossings, funded by the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, being created in Cheadle, making it easier to walk, wheel, cycle and keep active. Also as part of the day’s events, residents enjoyed free bicycle servicing and minor repairs from ‘Dr Bike’, free cycle try-outs in Adswood Park, a friendly afternoon group walk from Cheadle Green to Brookfields Park and a led cycle ride for all the family from Adswood Park. Advice was on hand from a team at the council to encourage residents to choose a healthy lifestyle and to reduce local congestion.

Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Parks and Leisure Services, said:

“It is fantastic news to see the completion of a new and improved walking and cycling route in Cheadle. This scheme is part of a bigger picture, with links from the Trans Pennine Trail, through Cheadle Village and now heading further south on to the new A555 walking and cycling path into Cheadle Hulme. Generations to come will benefit from this new route.

“We want to encourage walking and cycling as a method of travel for our residents and that is why we also hosted Stockport Moves on Sunday as part of celebrating Stockport’s Town of Culture.”

Brian Bradley, the Chair of the Cheadle Town Fund Board, added:

“I am delighted to be able to support the hard work of Cheadle Town Fund Board in bringing forward these transformative projects. It’s lovely to see a plan made real and to watch people enjoying the new route. Our goal is to promote clean growth, and this active travel route does all this and more. It reduces local congestion, promotes health and most importantly encourages people back into Cheadle.”

Mary Robinson, MP for Cheadle and Town Board member, said:

“It is exciting to see the Government’s investment delivering change for my constituents in Cheadle. This new cycling and walking route is part of a wider commitment to improve travel options for local residents. I am so pleased to see the project come to fruition.”